House of Lords Reform

Lord Milner of Leeds: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the series of background papers on reform of the House of Lords, promised in the Government's White Paper The House of Lords—Completing the Reform (Cm 5291), will be published.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: My department is today issuing a single report, entitled The House of Lords—Completing the Reform—Supporting Documents, that contains all of the background papers. Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and have been placed in the Printed Paper Office.
	Further copies of the report may be obtained from:
	The House of Lords Reform Team
	Lord Chancellor's Department
	Room 815
	Millbank Tower
	21-24 Millbank
	London SW1P 4QP
	The report is also available on my department's website at www.led.gov.uk/.

Baroness Morgan of Huyton

Lord Northbrook: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the duties of Baroness Morgan of Huyton as Deputy Minister for Women, equality co-ordinator across Whitehall and Minister of State in the Cabinet Office constituted a full-time job; and, if so, whether it is proposed to appoint a successor.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The Minister of State, Cabinet Office, Mrs Barbara Roche, has taken on Baroness Morgan's former responsibilities within the Cabinet Office. My right honourable friend Baroness Scotland of Asthal will answer in this House for women and equality issues. Lord Williams of Mostyn will continue to take the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Bill through the Lords.

Toys Supplied with Foodstuffs: Safety

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What evidence there is that small toys in breakfast cereal packs and chocolate eggs have caused death and injury to children within the European Union single market; and whether they support tougher safety controls on companies producing such toys.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: We are aware of three fatalities in the UK in 1985, 1989 and 1991 and one death in Portugal involving toys supplied with foodstuffs. The European Commission has examined all aspects of the combination of inedible products with foodstuffs and concluded that while these could constitute risk, these risks were no different from those associated with any other small toys or toys incorporating small parts. This view is supported by research carried out for my department which concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that toys marketed with food pose a greater risk to children than other small toys.
	All toys supplied in the UK must meet the essential safety requirements of the Toy (Safety) Regulations 1995 which implement the EC directive on the safety of toys.

HM Prison Blantyre House

Lord Mayhew of Twysden: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current categorisation of HM Prison Blantyre House; and
	Whether they have any plans to alter the current categorisation of HM Prison Blantyre House; and, if so, whether they will specify this plan and the reasons for any such change.

Lord Rooker: With effect from 4 September 2001, Blantyre House and all other resettlement prisons in England and Wales have been redesignated as semi-open prisons. Both category C and D prisoners who meet the allocation criteria may be allocated to a semi-open prison meaning prisoners can be selected on the basis of their resettlement needs. There are no plans to change the role of Blantyre House.

Football (Disorder) Act 2000: Detentions

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many individuals have been detained under the provision of the Football (Disorder) Act 2000; and how many convictions have resulted.

Lord Rooker: A police detention under powers introduced by the Football (Disorder) Act 2000 may result in a court imposing a football banning order. These are civil proceedings and do not lead to convictions. Information on the number of detentions and their outcome is provided in the table.
	
		Impact of Sections 21A and 21B of the Football Spectators Act 1989 (as amended by the Football (Disorder) Act 2000) as of 26 November 2001
		
			 Police detentions under Section 21A of the Act  
			 Number detained under Section 21A and released  to travel 16 
			 Number detained and issued with Section 21B  notices (preventing travel and commencing  banning order on complaint proceedings) 99 
			  
			 Total 115 
			 Outcome of court proceedings prompted by issue of section 21B notices  
			 Number of banning orders imposed *63 
			 Number of orders refused 24 
			 Number of court proceedings currently  adjourned 12 
			  Total 99 
		
	
	Source: Football Banning Orders Authority.
	* Two of the orders were subsequently over-turned on appeal.

Sentencing Policy and Prison Occupancy

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, given that 23 local prisons are over-crowded to the extent of some 5,000 prisoners, they will:
	(a) ask the courts to minimise the use of short prison sentences and to increase the use of fines and community penalties; and
	(b) set legal limits on the occupancy of each prison.

Lord Rooker: The Government believe that prison is right for dangerous, serious and some persistent offenders and that sentences should be as long as necessary for punishment and public protection, but no longer.
	Home detention curfew plays an important role by enabling prisoners to be released from prison early, while still subject to restrictions placed on their liberty. This facilitates a smoother and more effective integration back into the community and helps offenders to secure or resume employment or training as soon as possible.
	The Government believe that community punishments can make a major impact and support their increased use, particularly for some non-violent offenders such as those convicted of theft and handling or fraud. The Government's reform of the probation service, with its focus on reducing reoffending, means that rigorously enforced community sentences are a real and tough alternative to imprisonment.
	In the longer term the proposed sentencing reforms, including sentencing guidelines and new flexible sentences incorporating both custody and supervision, should have a significant impact. In this context the Government are also exploring the scope for innovative new sentences, such as intermittent custody, and for restorative justice interventions.
	There is no power to set a legal limit and we have no plans to introduce such powers. However, Prison Service orders require establishments to ensure operational capacity is not exceeded except in exceptional circumstances.

RAF Gliders: Location

Lord Marsh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether in principle decisions on the possible resiting of gliders from RAF Bicester to RAF Upper Rissington have yet been taken; if so, when they were taken; and, if not, what is the estimated date that they will be taken.

Lord Bach: A decision on where to relocate the gliding activity from RAF Bicester has not yet been taken. The study to inform the recommendation on a permanent location is still continuing; RAF Little Rissington is one of a number of sites under consideration. No recommendations can be made until the study is concluded. The evaluation of all the proposals is taking longer than expected but should be complete early in the new year.

RAF Gliders: Location

Lord Marsh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the key factors under consideration in relation to the possible resiting of gliders to RAF Upper Rissington from RAF Bicester.

Lord Bach: The study to inform the recommendations on a permanent location for the Joint Service Adventurous Training (Gliding) is still continuing; RAF Little Rissington is one of a number of sites being assessed.
	There are a range of factors under consideration in relation to the possible resiting of gliding from RAF Bicester. Key issues include compatibility of gliding with other airfield uses, airfield capacity, air space considerations, the impact on the local environment and cost.

Port Services: Proposed EU Directive

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their stance on the proposed European Union Port Services Directive, introducing competitive tendering for cargo handling and related services.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government would not be able to agree to the Commission proposals as they stand. However, we will participate fully in any discussions in Transport Council, scheduled for early in the new year, with the aim of securing an outcome which will help ensure that the UK ports remain successful, sustainable and safe.

Bus Lane Contraventions: Penalty Charges

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what date they expect to commence consultations under Section 144 of the Transport Act 2000 to enable local authorities outside London, which have taken decriminalised parking enforcement status, to impose penalty charges in respect of bus lane contravention, using camera enforcement.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Early in the new year.

Mobile Phones: Use while Driving

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider it possible for a driver to exercise proper control over a vehicle while driving it at the same time as holding a mobile telephone to his or her ear.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Rule 127 of the Highway Code is clear. It says, XYou MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. Never use a hand-held mobile phone or microphone while driving."

Strategic Rail Authority: Freight Competition

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Strategic Rail Authority's freight competition has been completed.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Strategic Rail Authority's XInnovative Solutions in Rail Based Logistics" competition is not completed and will continue into 2002.

Porton Down: Security

Lord Lang of Monkton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any break-ins have taken place at Porton Down within the past 18 months; if so, what was taken; what actions were subsequently taken by the relevant authorities; and with what consequences.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There have been no break-ins or security breaches at the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory or the Centre for Applied Microbiology Research at Porton Down during the past 18 months.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Lord Roberts of Conwy: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether rheumatoid arthritis features in any National Health Service research and development programmes; and
	Whether rheumatoid arthritis features in any programmes sponsored by the Medical Research Council.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The main government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The Department of Health funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the National Health Service.
	The MRC spent approximately £4 million on arthritis research in the year 2000–01. This figure includes work on the causes and treatment of arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation. This also includes work on musculoskeletal function, such as ankylosing spondylitis, or connective tissue disorders, such as Sjogrens syndrome and lupus, and on pain. Work being carried out at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research may contribute to the development of new drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases; for example, septic shock.
	The Department of Health has funded several research projects on rheumatoid arthritis via its NHS research and development programmes. The department is currently funding three such projects: the British rheumatoid outcome study group trial of symptomatic versus aggressive therapy in established rheumatoid arthritis, at the University of Manchester; a randomised controlled trial of different knee prostheses at the University of Dundee; and, the costs and outcome measures of hydrotherapy programmes compared with physiotherapy in children with rheumatoid conditions at University College London.
	The department also provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and by charities which take place in the NHS. Details of Department of Health-funded resarch and other projects, completed and underway in the NHS, can be found on the National Research Register which is available on the Internet at: http://www.doh.gov.uk/research/nrr.htm.

Hardwood and Softwood Thinnings

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to increase the use of home-grown hardwood and softwood thinnings of less than saw-mill size; and what recent success they have had.

Lord Whitty: We are supporting research and development into technologies that might create new and better products using small and low-grade logs. There has been some success with gluing technology for small pieces of unseasoned hardwood and softwood species. In 1998 we commissioned a major market development study for softwood. This identified some potential for inward investment for a large-scale development to exploit long fibre spruce round wood. Unfortunately, there is little likelihood of attracting a large industrial plant for predominantly hardwood growing areas where woodlands are more dispersed, therefore solutions are more likely to be small scale. The Forestry Commission is working with other organisations, including the regional development agencies, to try to encourage the development of wood processing facilities.
	We are also encouraging the development of the energy and heat market which will provide another important use for small hardwood and softwood timber. Wood-fuelled plants are already being used, for example, for small-scale industrial heating in rural areas. Both energy and heat production from wood can also benefit from the extra £100 million announced by the Prime Minister in June to support the development of renewable energy technologies.

Foot and Mouth: Appeal Costs

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the total costs to the taxpayer of the court cases involving appeals against decisions by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food or Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials to slaughter animals during the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Lord Whitty: There have been 61 cases so far in which the department has received representations from solicitors. Costs for these cases have not yet been finalised. We always seek to recover costs and have been successful in doing so.

DEFRA: Exeter Office

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the total number of permanent staff employed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at its Exeter Office at the time when 18 members of staff were suspended.

Lord Whitty: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has three offices located in Exeter. They are:
	Clyst House, Winslade Park, Clyst St Mary;
	Estuary House, Peninsula Park, Rydon Lane; and,
	5 Hanover Court, Manaton Close, Matford Business Park.
	Members of staff who were suspended at the beginning of August 2001 were temporarily working at the Clyst House office. The number of permanent staff employed at Clyst House at that time was as 444. This figure comprises 337 members of staff working for the Rural Payments Agency and 107 members of staff working for the State Veterinary Service. It does not include staff from other offices in Exeter and elsewhere who were temporarily employed at Clyst House on loan to the State Veterinary Service for foot and mouth disease work.

Noise Pollution: Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Lord Marsh: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will define the responsibilities and powers of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in relation to noise pollution in areas of outstanding natural beauty, including that caused by low-flying aircraft and gliders, powered or towed.

Lord Whitty: Local authorities have powers under the Environmental Pollution Act 1990, the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993, the Noise Act 1996 and the Control of Pollution Act 1974, to deal with most forms of neighbour-related noise concerns. The control of noise caused by low-flying aircraft and gliders, powered or towed, is the responsibility of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR).

Rural Payments Agency

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total amount of payments that are outstanding due to the industrial action being taken by the Rural Payments Agency, how many tenant farmers have been affected; and how much they are still owed.

Lord Whitty: Industrial action, which commenced in August, has mainly affected the arable area payments scheme. Payments under this scheme are made in a payment window running from 16 November to 31 January. In a normal year, 60 to 70 per cent. of the aid would be paid out in the first two to three weeks. This year the figure is likely to be a little over 50 per cent.
	No details are available about the position of tenant farmers.

Ofcom: Disabled and Elderly Consumers

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answer by the Baroness Blackstone on 29 October (HL Deb, cols. 1225-1226), how they intend to ensure that—
	(a) the board of the Office of Communications has sufficient familiarity with the needs of disabled and older people to be able effectively to discharge its intended regulatory functions in relation to them;
	(b) the work of the Advisory Committee on Telecommunications for Disabled and Elderly People (DIEL) is carried over to the new regulatory framework and expanded to encompass advice to the Office of Communications on the access needs of disabled and older people in relation to other communications services;
	(c) access for disabled people is included among and prioritised within the design criteria for the Office of Communications; and
	(d) the Office of Communications adopts a best practice approach to meeting the information and communication needs of disabled customers.

Baroness Blackstone: It is the Government's intention to require the Office of Communications (Ofcom) to give proper weight in all its activities to the special needs of people with disabilities and of the elderly. It will be for Ofcom to determine how it meets this requirement and, in particular, how it obtains appropriate advice on what the special needs of consumers may be, including the special access needs of consumers of communications services. Ofcom will be able to establish committees to provide advice about matters relating to its functions. There will also be a new consumer panel, operating with a high degree of independence from the regulator, and appointments to the panel will take full account of the importance of understanding the concerns of consumers with special needs. The forthcoming draft communications Bill, to be published in the spring, will provide further detail of the remit and operation of the consumer panel.
	Further work to be undertaken on the practical arrangements for creating Ofcom will involve gaining a clear understanding of the needs of Ofcom's various stakeholders, including those of disabled people, in order that they may inform its collective purpose and operations. In addition, Ofcom will be expected to ensure the most effective means for making sure that disabled people can have full access to relevant information about its activities.

Ofcom: Disabled and Elderly Consumers

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they will respond to the view of the Royal National Institute for the Blind that the Office of Communications's future duties in respect of disabled peple should go beyond merely giving due weight to their interests and extend to making proper provision to meet their specific needs in relation to access to communications services.

Baroness Blackstone: As made clear in the Communications White Paper, Ofcom will be required to give due weight to the need for improved access to communications services for people with disabilities. Our detailed proposals will be set out in the draft communications Bill.

Physical Activity for the Over-50s:Cross-departmental Group

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recommendations have been made by the cross-departmental group led by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport whose remit is to consider ways of promoting physical activity for the over-50s; which departments are represented on that group; how many times it met during 2001; and on which date it held its last meeting.

Baroness Blackstone: The group have made the following recommendations which will be presented to the Cabinet Committee on Older People: a national focus point to oversee the promotion of physical activity for older people; education and training to reduce the shortfall in trained individuals to deliver physical activity for older people, and investment in activity for people in residential and day centre settings. Represented on the group are the Department of Health, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions and the Department for Education and Skills. The group met twice in 2001. The last meeting was held on 30 October.

Works of Art: Government Indemnity Scheme

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Answers by the Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 27 February (HL Deb, col. 395) and the Baroness Blackstone on 27 June (HL Deb, col. 12) on works of art, what steps they have now taken to amend the government indemnity scheme; and, if a decision has not yet been taken, when they intend to take one.

Baroness Blackstone: No decision has as yet been taken to amend the government indemnity scheme. Consultation is still being undertaken and the possible options to ensure that all objects that have been accepted in lieu are made fully accessible to the public are being evaluated. It is expected that the review will be completed sometime in 2002.

Business Tourism

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they wil help promote business tourism in the United Kingdom and within the European Union.

Baroness Blackstone: The British Tourist Authority (BTA) has a dedicated Business Tourism department which brings together buyers and suppliers internationally and markets business tourism professionally.
	The Government have also supported the creation of the Business Tourism Partnership as a voice for this diverse sector. We have encouraged the recent joint initiative between the partnership and Trade Partners UK (TPUK), in conjunction with the DTI, to stimulate trade development opportunities and attract more international conferences and exhibitions to the UK. Business tourism can also take advantage of a range of government schemes to help business promote innovation, regeneration and export earnings.

XMusic in Europe" Initiative

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether last October's XMusic in Europe" initiative under the Belgian Presidency of the European Union was designed to preserve, enhance and extend Europe's musical heritage; and what response the Government made to the initiative.

Baroness Blackstone: The Government recognise the importance of the music industry as a symbol of our cultural heritage, and are working to ensure its future economic and cultural success. We welcomed, therefore, the XMusic in Europe" conference arranged by the Belgian presidency as a way of bringing together representatives from the music industry across Europe to discuss current issues of common concern, share and disseminate examples of best practice and propose areas for possible action to promote the industry. We were pleased that many key figures from the UK music industry were able to speak at and attend the event, together with a representative from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Regional Cultural Consortiums

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's review of the regional cultural consortiums has been brought forward from the middle of 2002; what are the terms of reference for the review; and what is the date by which it will be completed.

Baroness Blackstone: The Government have decided to bring foward the review of the regional cultural consortiums so that their future can be considered in the context of current discussions about regional governance and the preparation of the White Paper on regional governance.
	The terms of reference for the review are:
	to review the regional cultural consortiums, taking account of their achievements to date, and the wider framework being developed on regional governance, and to make recommendations to the Secretary of State before the White Paper on regional governance is finalised;
	to consider the success of the Consortiums in meeting their aims to date; how they are viewed by key players in the regions; the nature and impact of any changes that have taken place in the regions since the consortiums were established; the implications of one or more regions having some form of elected regional government in due course;
	and in the light of this information, to explore how to move forward from what has already been achieved, including changing the remit and/or aims of the consortiums, modifying their status, membership, method of appointment, sponsorship and funding, and merging or replacing them with some other organisation;
	and to make recommendations on the way forward to the Secretray of State.
	We expect the review to be completed in January 2002.

World Athletics Championships 2005

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are their plans to assist a British bid to host the 2005 International Amateur Athletic Federation World Championships.

Baroness Blackstone: The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) decided at its council meeting on 26 November to reject the offer of Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium as an alternative to Pickett's Lock and to reopen the bidding for the 2005 World Athletics Championships. The IAAF's decision is clearly disappointing; Sheffield would have provided an outstanding venue for the 2005 World Championships. At a meeting attended by my right honourable friend the Minister for Sport, UK Athletics, Sheffield City Council, UK Sport, Sport England and the British Olympic Association on 27 November, it was agreed unanimously that UK Athletics should not enter a Sheffield bid.